Friends Of Dog Park Launch Brick Campaign

The Friends of Newtown Park and Bark have launched a buy-a-brick campaign to raise funds for a dog park slated to open in May. Those who purchase walkway bricks before April 1 will see theirs included in the park’s walkway during the grand opening scheduled for May. Bricks from later orders will also be added, but will not be included in the initial installation.

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“Leave your mark” on the Newtown Park and Bark dog park, is the message from park friends.

Launching a buy-a-brick campaign this month, the Friends of Newtown Park and Bark, which is under construction and will open in early May, is selling Havana red 4-by-8-inch and 8-by-8-inch bricks for $100 and $200, respectively. The bricks will be used to create a walkway from the park entrance into the off-leash park, located on Old Farms Road, adjacent to the new Brian J. Silverlieb Animal Care and Control Center and across from the Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard.

Assistant Director of Recreation RoseAnn Reggiano said that bricks purchased by April 1 will be included in the walkway in time for the grand opening on Saturday, May 3, at 11 am. Bricks will still be available after April 1, but just won’t make the initial installation, Ms Reggiano explained.

Park construction, started in mid-2013, is going well, she said, but “a few more things” need to be completed. Benches, a fountain, and trash stations still have to be installed, and “the grass has got to grow,” Ms Reggiano said with a laugh. The finished park will include water features, agility equipment, and more. The budget of $200,000 was met through fundraising, beneficiaries, and budget funds.

“We will continue to fundraise for upkeep,” she said.

Through the buy-a-brick campaign, sponsors can “help add the special finishing touch” of a brick walkway to the dog park, a recent flyer states. “Buy a brick online, have it engraved and dedicate your purchase in honor/memory of a special pet or person. Or just leave your mark and make a fun statement that declares your love of animals and support for our mission,” the flyer says, adding that sponsors can personalize a brick with a dog’s name, a family’s name, and even include a paw print.

Bricks will be delivered and installed during final stages of construction by Parks and Recreation staff.